The 6 Best LED Face Masks for Smoother, Firmer, and Clearer Skin, According to Beauty Editors

Another Cosmo review: “I love that the sessions are only three minutes, which makes me more motivated to do it every single day, instead of needing to carve out 10 minutes like other tools. There’s also no wire or remote needed, which makes it a super hands-free experience. As an acne-prone gal entering the latter half of her twenties, the purple light setting (a combination of blue and red light) is perfect for my two major skin concerns—breakouts and anti-aging.”—JH

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Another Cosmo review: “I am such a fan of this $400 LED mask, especially stacked up against many that I’ve tried that cost so much more. Most of all, it’s easy to use, which is exactly what convinces me to keep using the tool over and over again (and is the only way to actually see results).”—BG

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Provided you're using a reputable device, light therapy or LED (aka light-emitting diode) masks might potentially work. These devices use varying wavelengths of light, which are thought to trigger skin changes at a molecular level—like stimulate collagen production, kill some acne-causing bacteria, balance oil production, and even reduce inflammation.

That said, "in the short term, LED lights seems to be safe, but long-term safety of these light therapies remains uncertain," says dermatologist Hadley King, MD. "The bottom line is that there aren't yet large studies demonstrating that these lights are effective." So while I swear by them and have seen hella benefits from my at-home LED masks, the jury's still out on their efficacy and more research needs to be done. Which brings me to...

In my opinion (and that of most derms), the biggest disadvantage of LED masks is that they are an expensive, time-consuming treatment that might not give you the results you're looking for, since more research needs to be done to prove their efficacy. But many derms, aestheticians, and editors swear by them and have seen results. So it's all up to your discretion whether you want to add one to your routine. And, as always, run things by your dermatologist before self-treating. Cool? Cool.

FWIW, overall, these devices are generally considered to be safe, but Dr. Svidzinski recommends purchasing ones that have been cleared by the FDA (which, reminder, is only a testament to its supposed safety—not its efficacy). Dr. Svidzinski explains that while LED skin devices are weak and unlikely to have enough energy to burn your skin, the primary safety concern here is the effect they can have on your eyes, so it’s super important to shield them from the light while using these devices.

It can take about about six weeks of continued use to start noticing some results (think: clearer, brighter, firmer skin) with an LED mask. But the bulk of your results will likely come after three to four months, since collagen takes time to build. LED masks are not meant to be an overnight treatment—instead, you'll likely need to use yours a few times a week (some even daily; always check the directions on your device) across months to see changes in your skin.

LED masks are best for anyone who is looking to prevent signs of aging or acne and willing to commit to using a device either daily or multiple times a week. The key here is consistency, so if you're not the type of person who will regularly use a skincare device, LED masks are prob not best for you.

LED face masks are good for acne, but they most likely won't clear up acne alone, which means you'll likely need to use your LED mask with a tried-and-true acne treatment, like an RX-strength retinol, Accutane, or spironolactone. “These devices have potential, but they need to be optimized with other standard treatments,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Okereke. “We don’t have enough large studies that demonstrate that these lights are superior or as good as standard treatments.”

Not only that, but there are so many other factors with LED masks that will affect your results, like the strength of the light, the specific wavelength of the light, the distance from the source to the skin, the length of time you use it...the list goes on.

Basically, LED masks won’t completely fix your cystic zits, whiteheads, wrinkles, or redness, but they can definitely help to a certain degree over time (think: at least 4 to 6 weeks to see any results). Still, as long as you manage your expectations, take the proper safety precautions, and consult your dermatologist, there’s little harm in giving one a shot.

Know which type of light is best for your skin.

At-home LED masks will usually come with a mix of different lights (see: blue, red, orange, amber, and green lights) that are thought to target specific concerns, but the science is iffy on the true efficacy of any light outside of red and blue lights—mostly because red and blue are the most-studied lights so far (so, you know, talk to us in 10 years).

That being said, there’s no harm in testing out each of the lights that come with your light therapy mask, so here’s a quick rundown of how to choose the right light frequency for your skin:

• Red light: If you’re trying to boost collagen production to potentially help with fine lines and wrinkles, choose an LED mask that uses red light.
• Blue light: If your main concern is killing acne-causing bacteria, go with a mix of blue light (which can “target bacteria in the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gohara) and red light (an anti-inflammatory, says Dr. Okereke).
• Orange, amber, purple, green lights: If you’re just hoping for an all-over miracle face glow, try ’em all out. They’re thought to help calm skin, fade acne marks, and even out hyperpigmentation, but again—the science isn’t all there yet.

Consider the price.

In general, the old “you get what you pay for” adage is relatively true when it comes to finding the best LED mask, but it’s unfortunately not that clear cut. Like, will the $300 LED mask created by a dermatologist be more effective than the $13 LED mask on Amazon? Most likely yes. But what about a $5,000 mask? Or even a $500 mask? Not necessarily.

Dr. Svidzinski says that although there isn’t enough data to validate or compare the efficacy across all of these at-home devices, the strength of the higher-end models might be comparable to that of in-office light treatments. But again, there’s a huge discrepancy in the cost of these things, based on the technology used, the available features, and the materials. So always check the reviews—and the return policy.

Think about the frequency of use.

Hey, if you just know you're prob not gonna be able to stick to sitting with an LED mask on your face every single day, you prob shouldn't invest in one that requires daily use to see results. Instead, look for a stronger device that offers up the same benefit with once or twice-a-week consistency. This will likely cost more, but if you'll actually be able to get your money's worth out of the device, consider if this could be worth the extra $$$. Or if you WFH and generally don't have a prob sticking to your skincare routine, then sure—opt for a less expensive LED face mask that you just gotta whip out daily.

Opt for a full-face LED mask.

While LED masks that are just for specific areas of the face, like the eyes or lips, are having a moment, Dr. Rogers' tells her clients to choose a bigger LED mask instead so your whole face can benefit. And if you want those extra collagen-boosting benefits on your lips, try a lip device like the Current Body LED Lip Perfector or Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite LipWare Pro LED Device.

• Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
• Heather Rogers, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle, WA. Dr. Rogers is the co-founder of Modern Dermatology and the CEO of Doctor Rogers Skin Care.
• Uchenna Okereke, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Associates in Canton, MA, and a clinical associate at Massachusetts General Hospital.
• Cula Svidzinski, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.
• Mona Gohara​, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in multiple locations in CT, and also an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine.
• Elizabeth Hand is an aesthetician based in New York, NY. She's also the founder of Ställe Studios, a spa in NYC offering bespoke facials.

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skin stories that range from the best retinol eye creams to the best lasers for acne scars. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to LED face masks and devices. She regularly tests and analyzes new LED masks and devices, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and aestheticians to assess new brands and technologies.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has been writing about beauty for six years, including stories like the best mineral sunscreens and microcurrent devices. She's been testing LED face masks for months to write this story, connecting with as many dermatologists and aestheticians as she can to get their tips and faves.